Fiber Optic Fundamentals

Prepared for
The Handbook of Fiber Optic Data Communication
Third Edition

Dr. Casimer DeCusatis

IBM Corporation
 Key Concepts
• Brief History of Optical Fiber Technology
• Multimode and Single-mode Fiber
• Basic Fiber Optic Link Concepts and
Applications to the Computer Industry
Optical fiber vs Copper
 Challenges: Connectivity and
Interoperability
Newer technologies involving higher datarates, smaller form
factors, higher port densities, pluggability, and parallel links are
showing an increased need to focus on connectivity and
interoperability issues

Transceiver Fiber Optic Cable

Transceiver

Electrical
Connector Electrical
Optical Optical Optical Connector
Optical
Port Connector Connector Port

A failure anywhere along this link will cause the entire link to fail
 Conclusions
• Historically, the fundamental concepts of fiber optics date
back to 1927
• Multimode fibers use a core diameter of either 50 or 62.5
microns
– Short wavelength lasers
– Shorter distances (few hundred meters)
• Single-mode fibers use a core diameter of 9-10 microns
– Long wavelength lasers
– Longer distances (several kilometers)
• A basic link is composed of optical transceivers, cables,
and connectors
• Fiber optics is widely used for both voice and data
communication, and is gradually becoming a more
fundamental part of future computer architectures